Chapter 122 - TOAST

"For the two Bai's who offered a glorifying performance to my Baba, I would like to make a toast with both of you." Lapil took two kupitas from the uripon, the cup they use to drink rice wine but was only available for the Rajah and Hara and to him.

Yanarym, who was mentioned by Lapil, shifted her gaze to the son of Rajah. He was staring at her with intense eyes but also with a docile smile. His eyes flickered with mixed emotion that she could name; jealousy, happiness, anger, insecurity, and a hint of disappointment. She curses in her mind, this was what she forethought yet she wouldn't want to happen.

"Did he have the idea that I was the woman in the forest from the past?" She asked in her head and Guide-sama replied.

Guide-sama: "He did."

"What the fuck?" She pressed her lips and swallowed her saliva. He knew her, then, what now? It was not like she had made a grave sin to him. Was he mad about the kiss? Why does he keep on looking at her that way, anyway? Does he wish to castigate her for stealing his first kiss? Is that it?

Lapil drank with Tala first as Yanarym did not flinch from her seat. She held onto Achis, what should she do? Even Achis wasn't aware of the situation--- Moreover, what does Lapil want to do to her?

Guide-sama: "I could hear his thoughts of killing Achis, Yanarym." ...damn, that's a lot worse than she expected.

"Lapil," Tala called him to get his attention but his eyes darted to the strange woman, Datu Achis' betrothal. She rolled her eyes and face Lapil instead, "Can we talk later?" Tala mumbled softly, she didn't want to waste this opportunity. From the time she had come here to this present time, she had no chance to be alone to converse with him. She wanted to clear up the misunderstanding or whatever barrier that's keeping them apart. This time, she was willing to let her pride down.

"Lapil," she called him again but his entire attention was all taken by the young Datu's bride. That woman, she's been stirring up her vigilance. Something about her was making Tala feel uneasy and worried like her instinct was telling her that that woman was trouble for her.

"It's done, go back to your seat." Lapil smiled at her with cold eyes. He turned away from her and did not look back. Tala bit her lips secretly and eyed the strange woman one more time. Whatever it was, she knew that woman was causing Lapil's strangeness.

Achis saw the kind of stare that Lapil was sending to Yanarym furrowed his brow. He tightened his grasp on her waist as if guarding his possession against the thief.

"Stop staring back at him," Yanarym told her with a gentle tone. He sneered, irritated, she was covered from head to toe, how could these men still gaze at her with gusto? "Achis, stop grimacing at him." She shifted, flouted him and he scowled in return.

"Bai?" Lapil kneeled to her side and offered her the kupita that was filled with rice wine. Yanarym looked at the cup, she extended her arms and took them. They intertwined and Lapil gazed at her eyes, while she was diverting her attention somewhere else, she lifted her mask and drank the alcohol fast, "Rym." He called her tenderly.

Yanarym choked herself, she tried her best to ignore him and finish her drink with three gulps. She felt her throat on fire from the hard liquor and her expression became distorted. Also, her stomach was burning from drinking two cups of alcohol in a row.

She pulled away and covered her mouth to cough. "Rym---" Lapil was about to help her but was abruptly blocked by Achis. The young Datu grabbed her waist, almost lifting her away from Lapil.

"It's alright, I can take care of my bride, Ginoo," Achis said in a dark tone embracing her stature like a predator protecting its kin.

Lapil diverted his attention to Yanarym and tried to catch her eyes but she kept on avoiding him. He secretly forms his hands into fists and smiles as a facade of his true emotion.

"Is that so?" He said in a friendly manner and stood up. "If that is the case, then… " When he turned around he headed to the Rajah and said a few words before he left the room.

As soon as he stepped out, his smiling face faded and was replaced by a grim expression. His eyes are dark with his lips pressed together. The veins on his neck were visible even though his arms were flexing their muscles. He was holding back with all his might.

Replaying the image where the lady he was yearning for, held by some other man. He just wants to take his kampilan and lunge at the young Datu and kill him at that moment. It feels like that young Datu stole his most important treasure, and he can't have it back.

"Ginoo?" Wakan who was waiting for him with the others came hurrying to his front as he saw his master with a disgruntled expression for the first time.

"Everything about Datu Achis, I want to know everything… involving his bride," Lapil said, stressing every word as his bloodlust bashing as he said the word bride. Wakan did not ask anything and bowed his head to comply.

Not only Lapil but also Achis was apoplectic with what happened. He saw how the son of Rajah fancy Yanarym, not even concealing the desires surging in his eyes. He had announced that she was his bride, however, Lapil was still so bold showing his doting gazes to his bride in front of him. Even saying her name longingly. 

Guide-sama: "I have a question." 

"Yes?" 

Guide-sama: "... How do you do this?" 

"Do what?" 

Guide-sama: "How do you manipulate your fishes?" Fish? Does she have fish here?